SpeedBull

Best of luck Marlon. You were my 6 year old sons and 10 year old daughters favorite player. You were first class at the Green and Gold spring game signing autographs for them, along with the rest of your teammates. It's a memory they will never forget. We will be watching you on Sundays and rooting for you! You are a tremendous talent and by all accounts a first class young man. You will always be remembered as a key part to our programs resurgence. Best of luck on the next level. Go Bulls!

Duemig is a loser and 620 sucks.

We actually agree an a couple of points: 1. USF should try to "win" Tampa Bay. I actually think it's possible. The Bucs have been around since 1976, Bulls Football since 1997. That's only 21 years. Bucs Football is not so ingrained in the fabric of Tampa Bay that it is the unquestioned and unbeatable leader. I think it could easily be argued that the Lightning have become the #1 most popular team in the Bay Area. How did that happen? By (1) A commitment to winning and community activism and (1a) Creating a superior "experience". It is my opinion that USF Football will always be considered 2nd best if we continue to play in the Bucs house (no matter how nice that house is). Perception is reality. In order for USF to compete for the local fan dollar and interest, we need to differentiate. 2. Focus on the underlying problems with the program. I believe an underlying problem with the program is the perception that the University is not fully committed to developing the program, i.e. remaining content playing a distant second fiddle to the Bucs. I am curious what you think the underlying problems are?

Amen!!! This is why I think it's a "no brainer". Obviously things cost money. But it seems like the next logical step in the programs development. I have a hard time with people that don't get this. People opposed to the idea keep talking about the money and focusing on the "business" side of the OCS. Yet they fail to acknowledge that college football IS A BUSINESS, and the gameday experience is THE PRODUCT. If the product is to improve and tradition and general interest is going to grow we need to stop being the Bucs Jr. in this town and create our own niche and identity. Anyone that takes the time to read this board and post up is clearly passionate about the program. We are all going to support it no matter what. But the gameday experience can be so much better than it is now. I would argue that the USF Football Program has earned our own OCS. We rose quickly under CJL. We stumbled with Skippy (although still had some signature wins)...started kicking ass again with CWT and now have CSS and all the momentum in the world. The time is now!

I didn't say I don't attend games at Ray Jay. I said I would attend more at an OCS. So would a lot of other people in my opinion.

Objection Your Honor

Haha!

There are no guarantees in just about any business decision. But you can pretty much guarantee that if nothing changes, nothing will change. Again, if you are happy with the current state of the program, keep voicing your opinions AGAINST the OCS. That is your prerogative, just like it is mine to keep ringing the bell for an OCS every time this topic comes up. I believe that people that live around the campus, that are not even alumni or current students, will go to more games. They live in the area, they've grown up around the area. They likely feel a part of the University already. It will breathe new life into the program, the campus and the immediate surrounding areas. I for one, with my family of 4, will definitely attend more games at an OCS. I like going to the campus. I live in Pinellas County so the drive doesn't make a difference to me either way. Every time I go to Ray Jay, I get Club Level tickets, enjoy all of the "first class" amenities and I could not care less. It is NOT a college football environment. It never will be. I want USF Bull games to feel like college football games. College football is a unique product. It is not the NFL. I don't care for the NFL. I like going to the Swamp. I like going to Doak. I like college campuses. I like college stadiums. I like the college atmosphere. Bulls games at Ray Jay are sterile.

The same group of people that are OK with renting space at an NFL stadium better be the same people that are OK with limited fan support and limited national and local interest from here until the end of time....because that's exactly what will happen. It's not USF's stadium. They are not "home" games. If 20 years in to this program they are still relying on the novelty of playing in an NFL stadium for recruiting we are destined to remain a footnote and afterthought in big time college football.

I never begrudge a kid for turning pro, whenever they believe it makes the most business sense for them. NCAA football is business just like the NFL. It's all about timing. That said, I do hope that Mack comes back. He's a classy kid and a great runner. I think he could use another year to get bigger and stronger. If he has another good year and stays healthy it can only help his draft status, especially with the increased attention the program will have next year. If he leaves early, I'll look forward to following his NFL career. But man, I'd really like to see him stay! GO BULLS!

An on campus football stadium is the cornerstone of a college campus. CCS stated it best. It's the sense of pride and feeling of defending YOUR turf. This is a no brainer. Make this happen Mrs. Genshaft! I hope that Coach Strong does not let up on this until it becomes a reality. It will be part of his legacy. Real tradition starts from within. GET THIS GOING NOW!!!!! Go Bulls!!

They (We) are already killed. I'm all for it. We are (non P5 conferences) are total bastards right now. Purgatory and already not "relevant" in the big picture.

I don't know where or why this started.....but I like it. Count me in. WAR FLAMINGO!!!

QF is a stud for sure. We need him and MM back again next year. Their draft status will be greatly improved with another good season. USF will have a lot more eyes on them next year and #9 and #5 will be getting A LOT more national attention with Charlie Strong at the helm. 2017 will be the most important year in the history of the program. We need all our boys here and CSS needs to make sure it happens. As for the GOAT QB in USF history...Man it's hard to say right now. Grothe was a gamer. That road win in Auburn is still my favorite win to date...well that and the FSU win with BJ Daniels at the helm. If QF can get us a conference title, I'll have to give it to him. Right now the USF QB GOAT is still TBD in my opinion.

He has the potential to be a very good NFL receiver but the Bucs won't take him. They don't have the guts or the vision to take a guy that isn't highly touted by the "experts". They are a second rate NFL organization. He will be taken by a team that actually knows how to evaluate talent, a team like the Pats for example. Rodney Adams is a stud, by far the best WR in USF history. I am rooting for that kid to be the be a very good player in the NFL. Good luck #87, it's been a pleasure to watch you in the Green and Gold!

So you are saying Skippy left us better off because he won a bowl game?

Sometimes it's OK to be a big fish in a small pond. Watch the D2 playoffs. It's fun. It gives fans a reason to go to the games. There is such an obsession on this board with "getting into the P5". I say, for what?? There is such hypocrisy and backwards thinking amongst so many on TheBullsPen. We may NEVER, EVER compete with the big boys on a regular basis. It's OK. There is such an inherent inferiority complex. What is the obsession with the P5? What is the rush to get our heads kicked in on bigger stages. Build an OCS, generate a real following. Build REAL momentum and maybe, just maybe we can EARN a seat at the big boy table. Anyone that thinks the P5 is clamoring for USF in its current state, playing at the RAY JAY to a half packed house is delusional.

I'm going to start getting in shape after I start dating that super model.

Basketball and Football = Apples and Oranges I agree. All you have to do is read this thread and see that half the people on this board don't even care. Anyone that can not see the value of an OCS is just blind. I don't understand how any person that claims to be passionate about the program would oppose the idea.

Basketball and Football = Apples and Oranges

1. There is no evidence that it won't either. 2. See #1 3. A lot of business investments "lose money" at first. This is a long term plan. 4. Maybe they will

Then we will never build one. That makes zero sense. The p5 is not attracted to 1/2 or 1/3 filled NFL stadiums.

This is exactly right! I've said the same thing on another thread. I have to believe the powers that be understand the importance of this. If this program wants real tradition and support the stadium must be on campus. As for the stadiums on this thread...my vote is to emulate TCU.

The current and future students can and should be part of the "big money" donors in the future. But if they don't get inspired, they won't care. They say insanity is doing the same thing repeatedly and expecting a different result. This program is 20 years old and by most accounts is flatlining in popularity at best throughout the community. It seems popular for people on this board to dismiss the importance of an OCS and ridicule those that believe it's the way to go. I don't understand the mentality or the idea that it's such a financial hurdle. Almost every single program in America has one. UCF has one, I believe FAU and FIU have one, not certain about that...but why is there such resistance about it here?

My point is that the local media coverage sucks. I think we can all agree on this right? If so, let's move on to the next point. Since the local media coverage is non-existent, and there are no signs that it's going to improve, USF should focus on the PRODUCT. They are not going to get help from the media and cheesy marketing campaigns are not going to work. The product is the team and the experience that comes along with attending the games. Are you with me? The experience at Raymond James is always going to be second rate. Yeah it's an NFL stadium...that novelty was great for a while. Now all it does is remind everyone that USF is renting space in an NFL stadium. There is no true college atmosphere. There never will be. If USF wants to build a tradition and genuine interest they need to invest in the product. If they believe in their product it will sell itself....eventually. An OCS is an absolute must. As an alum, I love going back to the campus. I like to see how it's grown since 2001. It makes me feel good to be there, it makes me want to go back. I love seeing the old underground School of Business. It evokes memories and inspires passion for the school and the teams every time I go there. None of these things happen at Ray Jay and they never will. None of the young kids see the campus and imagine what it will be like to attend school there one day. They don't "feel" it. When I watch NCAA Division 2 on TV there is more excitement. They are small, plain stadiums that are packed. I'd rather sit on bleachers in a packed USF BULLS stadium than look at 40,000 red and pewter seats every time I go. People can complain about all the other things but if you can't even get the student section filled up you have a tremendous problem. Tradition starts within.